Sold AS The alpha King's Breeder

Chapter 88: Is That Invitation Still Open?

With Raymond out of the way and my name restored, I left the pack courtyard and the trial and ran straight to the packhouse to check on Warren.

“Ciana, you’ re okay,” he said with a relieved sigh. “Slow down. Thank you again for coming back for me.’

“No, Warren, I should be thanking you. You helped me so much. I’m sorry that you went through all of that. I don’t know what I can do to repay you,” I blurted out, squeezing his hand.

“Silly girl! We’ re friends, right? That’s what we do. You have no idea how worried I was about you. When you fainted and they took you away…” Warren ‘s face wrinkled at the bad memory. “Thank the Goddess you are unharmed.”

He opened his arms like he was going to hug me.

Someone cleared their throat behind us and I saw Theo, or Tallis as he was still pretending to be, standing against the nearest packhouse wall. He was glaring at Warren.

Theo?” Warren asked.

“I’m not Theo!” he hissed moodily. “My name is Tallis.”

“Oh…” Warren stared at him for a moment, and murmured to himself, “Sorry, you remind me of my brother. I mean, you look different, but just…’

I jumped in, “Warren, believe me, I was confused at first too. But this is Tallis. He’s Nelson’s brother. Nelson is the car-

nival director,” I said, covering for Theo. I figured he probably had a good reason to keep his identity a secret, even from his own brother.

“Hmm. Well, you are dressed like you work with Nelson,” Warren said with a chuckle. He turned back to me, looking at me with deep, emotional eyes.

“Yes, he does, doesn’t he? I don’t think Prince Theo would ever wear colors like that,” I said, giggling and giving Theo a challenging look.

Theo snorted and looked away from me.

“I heard my name,” Nelson arrived with a concerned look on his face. “Geez, Tallis, there you are! I’ve been looking everywhere for you. They told me you’re at the packhouse. The carnival is packed up. Are you ready to go or what?”

“I’m ready,” Theo said stiffly.

“Great. Well, say your goodbyes and let’s get going. We’re all waiting on you,” Nelson said. He clapped his hands to hurry Theo along.

I bit my tongue to keep from laughing, seeing the dark, dangerous look in Theo’s eyes. If Nelson wasn’t careful, he’d end up dealing with the Dark Prince.

Theo glanced at me and crossed his arms. He gave a final nod and left after Nelson. It was already getting late and if he hung around too long, it would seem suspicious. Especially if he kept hanging around me.

“Warren, how are you feeling?” I asked, turning back to Warren.

He still looked a little pale and dirty. I hoped after a nice shower and some fresh clothes, he’d look and feel better,

Warren sniffled and rubbed his head.

“Honestly, I’ve got a bit of a headache. I’m not sure if I’m getting sick or I just need good food,” he admitted.

Warren and I headed back to my parents’ house. As we went, he started sniffling more and rubbing his temples. He was definitely sick.

him set up in one of the guest bedrooms. “You probably just need a good night’s sleep and some hot food. I’ll make

murmured, his eyes

figured that Theo would want to know and maybe would send Warren back to

few pieces of trash. Sighing, I kicked at an old can.

when I got

on the night table, along with a mug of tea and water. It would

settle down. I was happy

8B. That Sol’

headed off to Susan’s gravestone in the pack cemetery. Her death had been avenged, but I still missed her and felt bad about what happened. She’d

put my hand on her

you. I’ll never be able to express how sorry I am that you were killed because of me. Raymond is gone, though, and I think he suffered.

there you are,” Warren said, coming up beside

my hand from the grave and looked at him. “I just wanted to give her an update about what’s going

are going well,

You look quite energetic. Feeling 100% now?” I asked, addressing the more

color had returned to his cheeks and

you made me this morning was fantastic. Who needs medicine with you as a

praised my cooking before. I couldn’t tell if

Murray seem to have stepped up to help or ganize the pack,” Warren added, getting back to his

88. ISThai InvitatiM

It was a nice day with

a lot. With Raymond dead and Hawke ex iled, no one is left to cause problems. I keep going to their meetings, but every time they have it all under

ing better. It makes me feel better about

“Asking what?”

flipped a little. What could

here. I’d still like to do that now that Raymond isn’t a threat. I wanted to know if you’d visit her pack with me,” he said, giving me a

I keeping you from visiting

took time to recover from being held prisoner. So, do you want

my lower lip in

married to the alpha of Vaner

once many years ago with my parents, and) r

you say?”

now that every thing seemed to have settled in the pack, it would

went with him, he might think I had feelings for him, too. I didn’t want to give

territory at the moment. My pack was still vulnerable and I didn’t want to

sounds like a really fun trip, but Warren, I should really stay here until

fell and I could see he was disappointed. He took my hand and

understand,” he said, nodding and smiling

to pack and I headed to the courtyard to see if Frederic or Murray needed me for anything. I was impressed with how well they were handling things, but I

is gone… so sad,” I heard some girls

88′ That Open?

the

so handsome. I

bad.